September 14: A beautiful morning on the river at the South Thompson Inn. ♦ September 15: Normally she’s afraid of Uncle Dave, but when she’s in her fort, Isla is invincible! ♦ September 16: The best mail days include BzzAgent boxes! ♦ September 17: Just another gorgeous Kamloops sunrise! I love the fall. ♦ September 18: Monsters on my bed … ♦ September 19: Already kissing the boys. ♦ September 20: Just working on her bear necessities.
View the whole series here
Reading // I picked up The Fault in Our Stars at Costco yesterday so I’m looking forward to reading that! I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about the book and can’t wait to feel all the feels.
Watching // America’s Next Top Model is on again, so I’ve been rotting my brain once a week with that! I also just finished watching Masterchef on Tuesday and I’m happy with the winner!
Listening to // Isla is in love with “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift right now, so we’ve been listening to that a lot lately. (Dance parties in the car included!) She actually likes to sing it to her dolls and shake them, which is slightly concerning, haha.
Loving // That two of Kyle & I’s closest friends got married on the weekend! We were both honoured to be a part of the wedding party, and had such a fun time that day. It was so lovely, and I wish the bride and groom all the very best on their new life together!! I didn’t get any photos of Kyle, Isla and I, but here’s a lovely one of myself and the bride!
Thinking // That potty training is by far the biggest challenge parenting has thrown my way. Isla is SLOWLY getting it, but it’s definitely a learning process. How parents do it in three days is beyond me. So far, Isla knows when to go if I leave her naked from the waist down, but when I put training underwear on her she just goes in those and looks confused when she wets herself. (At least she notices that she has wet herself?) I know she’ll figure it out eventually, but it’s tough. (And also – Pull-Ups are the WORST. She just thinks that they’re diapers and doesn’t even notice when she pees.)
Needing // To do a little bit of fall shopping! I could really use a new pair of jeans and some shirts, and my current purse is falling apart. Maybe I’ll get that done this weekend while Kyle’s away hunting.
Anticipating // Maroon 5 in March! Okay, so it’s a few months away still, but I’m so excited to go!!
Looking forward to // Slo-pitch on Sunday! There’s only 2 weekends left until the end of the year tourny, and then that’s it until spring! Isla also starts swimming lessons on the 5th of October, so I’m looking forward to that as well. She fell in love with swimming this summer, and frequently tries to swim in the bathtub (and on the kitchen floor), so I’m hoping it carries over to her lessons. Fingers crossed!
While I had followed along with Jillian Michael’s Yoga Meltdown DVD in the past, today marks the 1-year anniversary since I took my very first yoga class! It’s hard to believe that one year ago today I was anxiously awaiting my first class, essentially “green” to the practice, and not having any idea of what I was in for. I’m sure glad I stuck to it, because practicing yoga is something that I’ve really come to love and enjoy.
First ever headstand!
Yoga, for me, is my way of clearing my mind, even if it sometimes just lasts for that one hour during class. Being able to just breathe and concentrate on what I’m doing at that very moment is so relaxing for me. There’s always a lot of talk as to why one would practice yoga, and for me, it’s just being able to reconnect with myself and ground myself that’s the most important.
I love also how much it has pushed me to challenge myself as well. Every week I could feel my stretches, bends, and folds getting a little deeper, and my balance getting a little stronger. Some of my favourite poses have been the ones that have challenged me the most, like supine hero or dancer. Nothing is greater than finally nailing the pose after weeks of trying!
Of course, my favourite moment was when I was finally able to get into a headstand pose! I couldn’t have done it without the help and encouragement from my amazing instructor, Carrie, either. I’ll admit that while she’s been the only instructor I’ve had, she’s absolutely amazing. Her passion for teaching and helping all of her students reach their fullest potential is just unbelievable. She’s taught me that your poses don’t ever need to be picture-perfect, that it’s just fine to stay within your comfort zone. (Although her suggestions for if we’re feeling “saucy” always make me giggle.)
Clockwise from top-left: Side plank, Eagle, Crow, Warrior III
While I haven’t attended classes regularly in the past couple of months, I do try and find time to do a little bit at home, even if it’s only for 25 minutes. Just being able to focus on my breath for those moments and not my kids, my dogs, or the bills on the table is all I need to feel like a human again.
I’m so glad that I decided to take the chance on yoga and signed up for that series of beginner classes a year ago. I can honestly say that yoga has changed my mindset on how I handle things everyday, like dealing with the silly little interruptions like this one:
Nothing like a little Daphne photobomb ;)
So, Happy Yogaversary to Me!! I’m going to celebrate by heading to a class tomorrow evening.
Do you practice yoga? What made you decide to start?
She Writes Words 